Construction noise hours in the GTA
Each municipality sets its own hours in its noise by-law. These are the permitted times for construction in five of them.
Updated
Short answer
In Toronto, construction noise is allowed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Vaughan, Mississauga and Richmond Hill allow 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Markham limits Saturdays to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. None of the five allows construction noise on Sundays or statutory holidays without an exemption.
Permitted construction hours
| Municipality | Monday to Friday | Saturday | Sundays and statutory holidays | By-law |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Not permitted | Municipal Code, Chapter 591 |
| Vaughan | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Not permitted | Noise Control By-law 121-2021 |
| Mississauga | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Not permitted | Noise Control By-law 0360-1979 |
| Richmond Hill | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Not permitted | City noise by-law |
| Markham | Until 7 p.m. | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Not permitted | Noise By-law 2017-74 |
Hours as each municipality published them on November 13, 2026. Quiet zones near hospitals and nursing homes can have longer quiet hours. Work outside these times needs a noise exemption from the municipality.
Noise exemptions
- When one is needed
- For construction noise outside the permitted hours: an early start, a Sunday pour, night work, an overnight crane lift.
- Toronto
- A noise exemption permit is needed for clearly audible construction outside the permitted hours.
- Vaughan
- A noise exemption can be requested for construction noise that would not meet the by-law.
- Mississauga
- Construction companies apply for an exemption to work from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and the City notifies nearby residents of the request.
Loading and deliveries
Deliveries have their own rules. In Toronto, loading and unloading noise is not allowed from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays, or from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends and statutory holidays.
In Vaughan, loading or unloading a transport truck or commercial vehicle is not permitted from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., or at any time on Sundays and statutory holidays.
Questions
What time can construction start in Toronto?
7 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on Saturdays. Construction noise is not allowed on Sundays or statutory holidays.
Can construction happen on a Sunday in Vaughan?
Not without a noise exemption. Vaughan’s Noise Control By-law permits construction from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
What are the construction hours in Mississauga?
7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday, except statutory holidays. Construction noise is not allowed on Sundays.
Sources
- City of Toronto, Noise
- City of Vaughan, Noise
- City of Vaughan, By-law 118-2024 amending Noise Control By-law 121-2021
- City of Vaughan, Explore August’s By-law of the Month (loading and unloading)
- City of Mississauga, Report excessive noise
- City of Mississauga, Apply for a noise exemption
- City of Richmond Hill, Residential Project Guidelines
- City of Markham, Noise By-law 2017-74 and Changes to Noise Bylaw and Exception Process
Checked against these sources on . This page is general information about building in Ontario. It is not legal advice, and the rules change, so confirm the current requirement for your project.
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